This study programme has two specialisations: Reliable and Secure Systems, and Data Science. It is in an international study programme and all courses are given in English.
2 years (4 semesters)
10 per specialization for local applicants 10 per specialization for international applicants
120
English

The MSc in Computer Science gives a broad foundation within the field of computer science. After completing this programme the door is open to some of the most challenging and interesting jobs in the field.
The specialisation in Reliable and Secure Systems provides a basis for work in the development and planning of commercial computer systems for different purposes.
The specialisation Data Science provides a basis for work in data analysis and development of data processing systems for the whole data lifecycle.
The Computer Science programme offers courses built on top of a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science.
The program utilizes lectures and activities such as individual projects, group projects, laboratory exercises with written reports, and company and industrial plant visits as learning methods. There is a high degree of individual advisory in the program, in particular in the work with the master’s thesis at the end.
The programme is organized under the Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
University of Stavanger offers and encourages the student to take a preparatory summer course in programing and system administration. The course is being taught early in August and before the official semester starts.
UiS is offering break rooms, reading rooms and computer rooms especially reserved for the master students. There is also a student organization for these students, ISI, which is arranging both academic and social gatherings.
Career prospects
Researchers and developers in Computer Science are indispensable in almost all industries. Some examples of businesses where they find employment are: consulting companies, telecommunications companies, oil-related businesses, hospitals and other public agencies. We encounter digital technology everywhere, and researchers and developers in Computer Science are crucial in making information society a reality.
Specialisation: Reliable and Secure Systems
Specialisation in Reliable and Secure Systems provides a basis for work in the development and planning of commercial computer systems for different purposes. It builds knowledge and skills in network security, reliability of distributed systems, and simulation and modeling.
Specialisation: Data Science
Specialisation in Data Science provides a basis for work in data analysis and development of data processing systems for the whole data lifecycle. It builds knowledge and skills in advanced statistics, data mining, machine learning and processing of large data volumes.
A completed master’s degree in Computer Science provides the basis for admission to the PhD programme in Information technology, mathematics and physics
Learning outcomes
All study programmes at the UiS have a set of defined learning targets. Read more about the learning outcome for this study programme.
After having completed the master’s programme in Computer Science, the student shall have acquired the following learning outcomes, in terms of knowledge, skills and general competences:
Knowledge
K1: Have advanced knowledge in information technology with specialization in either reliable and secure systems or data science.
K2: Have deep knowledge in the subject areas’ scientific theories and methods.
Skills
S1: Use relevant methods for research and software development in an independent manner.
S2: Analysze and relate in a critical manner to different information sources and apply these to structure and formulate professional reasoning within information technology.
S3: Perform an independent, limited research- or development project under guidance and in line with established ethical norms for research.
S4: Exploit knowledge in wireless communication, sensor networking, and distributed communication systems. (Reliable and Secure Systems)
S5: Design, model, simulate, and develop advanced network based computer systems with focus on dependability and security. (Reliable and Secure Systems)
S6: Develop data analysis applications for specific data sets and tasks or processes. (Data Science)
S7: Model problems and develop new instruments and applications for data collection, analysis and management following established engineering principles. (Data Science)
S8: Evaluate instruments and applications to optimize data collection, analysis and management. (Data Science)
General Competence
G1: Analysze relevant professional, and research ethical problems.
G2: Apply one’s knowledge and skills to new areas to conduct complex tasks and projects.
G3: Communicate comprehensively about own work, and master the subject area’s form of expression.
G4: Communicate professional problems, analyse, and draw conclusions within the subject area, both with specialists and the general public.
Academic requirements
A bachelor´s degree within the following disciplines is required:
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science, Informatics or similar with at least 50 ECTS credits in computer science/computer engineering
All applicants must have at least 30 ECTS credits in mathematics/statistics/calculus.
If you have completed studies/courses outside the University of Stavanger, you must upload course descriptions that have clearly defined curriculum (learning outcomes), together with your transcript of records. The course names and codes on the course descriptions must match the transcript of records. If you do not provide course descriptions, you might risk your application to not be prioritized.
The course descriptions should be submitted in English or in Norwegian, but a translation does not have to be provided by an authorized translator.
Admission to this master's programme requires a minimum grade average comparable to a Norwegian C (according to ECTS Standards) in your bachelor's degree.
Application and admission
Deadlines
and other admission requirements
For inquiries regarding admission to international Master's programmes, send an email to: admissions@uis.no
Please find more information here: www.uis.no/whenapply
Please find the application portal here:
Enrolment year: 2022
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Choice of spezialication
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Specialisation Data Science
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Compulsory courses
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Introduction to data science
Year 1, semester 1
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Probability and Statistics 2
Year 1, semester 1
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Statistical modeling and simulation
Year 1, semester 1
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Data-intensive Systems
Year 1, semester 2
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Data Mining and Deep Learning
Year 1, semester 2
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Machine Learning
Year 1, semester 2
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Master's thesis in Computer Science
Year 2, semester 3
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3rd semester at UiS or Exchange Studies
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Courses at UiS 3rd semester
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Recommended elective courses 3rd semester at UiS
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Security and Vulnerability in Networks
Year 2, semester 3
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Discrete Simulation and Performance Analysis
Year 2, semester 3
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Information retrieval and text mining
Year 2, semester 3
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Statistical learning
Year 2, semester 3
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Other elective courses 3rd semester at UiS
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Project in Computer Science
Year 2, semester 3
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Image Processing and computer vision
Year 2, semester 3
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Deep Neural Networks
Year 2, semester 3
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Exchange 3rd semester
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Exchange Studies 3rd semester
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Specialisation Reliable and Secure Systems
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Compulsory courses
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Security and Vulnerability in Networks
Year 1, semester 1
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Wireless Communications
Year 1, semester 1
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Statistical modeling and simulation
Year 1, semester 1
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Distributed Systems
Year 1, semester 2
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Algorithm Theory
Year 1, semester 2
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Master's thesis in Computer Science
Year 2, semester 3
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Select one course
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Data-intensive Systems
Year 1, semester 2
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Machine Learning
Year 1, semester 2
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3rd semester at UiS or Exchange Studies
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Courses at UiS 3rd semester
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Recommended elective courses 3rd semester at UiS
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Discrete Simulation and Performance Analysis
Year 2, semester 3
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Information retrieval and text mining
Year 2, semester 3
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Blockchain Technologies
Year 2, semester 3
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Image Processing and computer vision
Year 2, semester 3
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Other elective courses 3rd semester at UiS
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Project in Computer Science
Year 2, semester 3
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Deep Neural Networks
Year 2, semester 3
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Exchange 3rd semester
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Exchange Studies 3rd semester
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Frequently asked questions
Questions about the study programme? Find more information here.

What is the main difference between the three master's programs?
The difference between ADS (Applied Data Science) and DS (Data Science) is that in ADS, students receive more basic training in programming and databases that students in DS (and CS (Computer Science)) already have. Otherwise, there is a large overlap between ADS and DS. DS and CS have the same admission basis, while ADS has a different admission basis.
What is the difference between ADS / DS and CS (Reliable and secure systems)?
Specialization: Reliable and secure systems
The specialization in reliable and secure systems teaches you the management, design and programming of computer systems. The ability to integrate knowledge and skills in security, reliability and scalability together with algorithm theory and statistics is necessary to respond to challenges in computer systems in all industries.
Specialization in reliable and secure systems provides a basis for work with the development and planning of commercial computer systems for various purposes. You gain knowledge and skills in network security, reliability of distributed systems, simulation and modeling.
What do you learn in the specialization Data Science?
The specialization in Data Science teaches you to extract relevant information from a compilation of large data sets from different sources. The ability to create, manage and utilize data has become one of the most important challenges for practitioners in almost all disciplines, sectors and industries.
Specialization in Data Science provides a basis for work in data analysis and development of data processing systems for the entire data life cycle. You gain knowledge and skills in advanced statistics, data mining, machine learning and processing large amounts of data. The study will be highly sought after in the future labor market, with the development of smart solutions such as in smart cities, with smart energy and digitalisation.
Student exchange
By going on exchange to one of our partner institutions abroad as part of your studies, you will have an opportunity to get a unique education. In addition to improving your career opportunities, you grow as a person and gain the ability to greater reflect on the topics you study as part of your degree. All about exchange
Study abroad semester
3rd semester
Applicants admitted to the program are recommended to go on an exchange semester abroad as a part of their studies. UiS regards this exchange as a highly positive component of the program which will increase your employability. Students should select from their study program’s recommended universities.
Schedule for the exchange
Recommended semester abroad is 3rd semester. This semester has 30 ECTS elective courses. When studying abroad you must select courses that provide an equivalent specialization in the subject area. These courses should not overlap with the courses you have already completed. We recommend that you also consider your field of interest.
More opportunities
In addition to the recommended universities listed below, UiS has several agreements with universities outside Europe that are applicable to all students at UiS, provided that they find a relevant subject offering.
Within the Nordic region, all students can use the Nordlys and Nordtek networks. More information.
Contact person:
Guidance and pre-approval of courses:
Sheryl Josdal
General inquiries regarding exchange available in: Digital studentekspedisjon
- All countries
Aachen University of Technology
Er du på utkikk etter en spennende mulighet i Tyskland er RWTH Aachen University det naturlige valget! Universitetet streber etter å bli det beste tekniske universitetet i Tyskland og er på god vei til målet. Bli med på en del av reisen – bli utvekslingsstudent i Aachen!
Aalborg Universitet
Aalborg Universitet (AAU) er kjent for å benytte seg av problembasert læring i grupper, noe som kan by på en spennende læringsprosess.
California State University-Los Angeles
California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) er en del av det anerkjente California State University, som er USAs fjerde største universitet.
Grenoble Institute of Technology
Bli Erasmus+-student og studer i de franske alper i Frankrikes beste studentby Grenoble!
Lodz University of Technology
Do you want to study at one of the best technical universities in Poland? Apply to Lodz University of Technology (TUL) and enjoy a 70 years long tradition and experience in Engineering education!
Technical University of Munich
The Technical University of Munich, also known as TUM, accounts for major advancements in the field of natural sciences. TUM is one of the best universities in Germany and has several awarded scientists and Nobel Prize winners. The Technical University of Munich strives for excellent teaching and research quality.
The University of Adelaide
Universitetet ligger i Adelaide, Australias femte største by. Med sine 1.2 millioner innbyggere er Adelaide en trygg, kosmopolitisk by som er betraktelig rimeligere å bo i enn flere sammenlignbare byer i landet. Universitetet er medlem av Group of Eight, en koalisjon av de åtte ledende universitetene i Australia.
University of Pisa
Study at one of Europe's oldest and most prestigious universities - founded as early as 1343.
University of Twente, Enschede
Opplev Europa og det internasjonale studiemiljøet i Nederland. University of Twente er UiS` partneruniversitet i ECIU-nettverket og tilbyr utvekslingsmuligheter for mange studenter ved UiS. Det er et moderne og innovativt campus-universitet som satser stort på entreprenørskap.
- Australia
The University of Adelaide
Universitetet ligger i Adelaide, Australias femte største by. Med sine 1.2 millioner innbyggere er Adelaide en trygg, kosmopolitisk by som er betraktelig rimeligere å bo i enn flere sammenlignbare byer i landet. Universitetet er medlem av Group of Eight, en koalisjon av de åtte ledende universitetene i Australia.
- Denmark
- France
- Germany
Aachen University of Technology
Er du på utkikk etter en spennende mulighet i Tyskland er RWTH Aachen University det naturlige valget! Universitetet streber etter å bli det beste tekniske universitetet i Tyskland og er på god vei til målet. Bli med på en del av reisen – bli utvekslingsstudent i Aachen!
Technical University of Munich
The Technical University of Munich, also known as TUM, accounts for major advancements in the field of natural sciences. TUM is one of the best universities in Germany and has several awarded scientists and Nobel Prize winners. The Technical University of Munich strives for excellent teaching and research quality.
- Italy
- Netherlands
University of Twente, Enschede
Opplev Europa og det internasjonale studiemiljøet i Nederland. University of Twente er UiS` partneruniversitet i ECIU-nettverket og tilbyr utvekslingsmuligheter for mange studenter ved UiS. Det er et moderne og innovativt campus-universitet som satser stort på entreprenørskap.
- Poland
- United States
Contact
Faculty Administration TN
Kontor for utdanningsadministrative tjenester
Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Welcome to the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science!
The department is responsible for teacing, research and development within electrical and computer engineering at UiS. As computer technology becomes increasingly important in society, so this department keeps growing in size and expanding its activities.
Relevant studies
The department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science offers a growing range of studies, from bachelor to Phd level (see full list on our Norwegian pages).
The master programme in Computer Science is international and taught in English.
ICT research
Research in the department is concentrated on four main areas - follow the links to our Research pages for more information:
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